How to Choose a Guard Dog

Every dog is territorial to some degree. A guard dog's job is to watch, alert the owner by barking and also threaten the intruder. Guard dogs are athletic, powerful and aggressive. When properly trained, a guard dog should also be a loving and sociable pet. Because training a guard dog is a major investment, follow these steps to choose the right one for you.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Consider what the dog will be guarding and what their job will be. This will help you determine what breed you want. Many dogs bark loudly enough to scare away a stranger and alert you. Intimidators aren't afraid of an intruder, and attack dogs will actually go after an intruder.

2. Research the various breeds. There are books and websites that list breed descriptions. Once you have it narrowed down to a few breeds, talk to reputable breeders and longtime owners of that breed for further information.

3. Factor in your own personal or family habits and needs. Some breeds of guard dog, like the Komondor, require weekly grooming. Others like the Neapolitan Mastiff are very large and require lots of food and room to exercise.

4. Buy from a reputable breeder. Those who are out to make money have exploited certain breeds, and you won't know what you are getting. The Staffordshire bull terrier is an example of a dog that disreputable breeders breed for dog fighting.

5. Ask questions of the breeder you select. They can tell you what the temperament is like and if they are good with other dogs and animals, as well as with family members—especially young children. If possible, arrange to interact with the parent dogs before choosing a puppy.

6. Evaluate the specific dog. A guard dog puppy should be neither too shy nor too aggressive.

Tips & Warnings

• Many small dogs, such as terriers or toy breeds, are effective barkers. For deep barking, consider Labs or Shepherds.
• Intimidator breeds include the herding dogs as well as Malamutes and Huskies.
• Attack dog breeds include Dobermans, Pit Bulls, German Shepherds and Rottweilers. Attack dogs need professional training. You need to ensure that they stop on command.
• The aggressiveness of Pit Bulls and other breeds used in dogfighting doesn't make the best guard dog. You want them to stop intruders, not other animals.